Knight Moves: Knight Strike (Pt 2)

Location: Knight Industries

Paul left Jason's office and walked to the bank of elevators. Mindlessly, he got in and pushed the button for the top floor. How was he going to explain this to Wil? How was this even happening? Who was behind it? He exited the elevator and made his way to his office. He signaled his secretary to hold all his calls. Closing the door behind him, he made his way to his desk and turned on his computer.

Location: Vigilante Rd, Duxbury, VT

"First, let's discuss the issue of your project Dr. Barstow," Garthe stated.

"Your nephew had created the formula," she told him. "It looked good on paper, but when we tested the formula, the MBS and nano technology proved to be unstable. No matter how we came at the problem, we discovered more issues. In all honesty, it may be months before we hit on the correct formula."

"That is not an acceptable answer," Garthe informed her. "I expected more from you and Sarah Graiman. I certainly hope you do not think I believe you for a minute. I know the formula can be worked out. I have faith. Unfortunately, time is not on your side."

"Garthe, it's not that simple. If we don't get the right combination, the formula will be useless," Bonnie informed him.

He held his hand up. "I don't believe-"

Bonnie stood up and cut him off. "I don't care what you believe. I have degrees from-"

Garthe's eyes flashed angrily as he spoke, "Do not interrupt me again. I want that formula!"

"Garthe," Becky purred, "please calm down my love. I'm sure they're just stalling, hoping to be rescued." She paused. "Maybe we should use one of them as an example. You know, rough them up." She eyed her cousin icily. Garthe saw the look, glancing at April, he started to smile. An idea was forming in his head. Out loud, he said, "I think we can arrange something special." He was grinning wickedly.

Location: Williston, VT

"Uncle Michael, I'm so sorry. I never meant for this to happen," Wil sobbed. Tears were running down his face, as he looked pleadingly at his uncle.

"Get out of my sight! And take your damn vehicle with you! You two deserve each other." Michael turned on his heel and stormed out of the semi. Wil dropped his head and started towards KARR. Mike reached out and grabbed his cousin by the arm.

"Wil," Mike said softly. "He didn't mean it. He's really stressed out right now-"

Wil shook himself loose. "It doesn't matter anymore. He hates me and he's right to be angry with me." He opened the door to KARR and got in. Looking at Mike, Zoe and Billy, he wiped his eyes. "I have to fix this. No one else can make this right but me."

"That's not true. We are a team. We work together, and we'll fix this together," Mike told him.

"Not anymore. As of right now, everyone is on their own. Don't follow us, Mike." With that, he pulled the door shut and backed his car out. With a squeal of tires they disappeared into the setting night.

"You two track them. I want to know where they're going. I'm going to speak to my father." Mike ran down the ramp and into the hotel. Billy and Zoe looked at each other.

"Now what?" Billy asked quietly.

"I honestly don't know," Zoe answered.

Wil headed KARR up the on ramp of I-89, heading east. He knew Garthe was somewhere in the area. He could feel it. He accelerated the vehicle up onto the highway. Before he knew it he had hit the next exit, #11: Richmond, VT.

"Where are we headed?" KARR interrupted his thoughts.

"I was hoping you could tell me. Is there anything we're missing?" Wil asked.

"Such as?"

"I don't know. Does Goliath have any discerning characteristics? Maybe a homing beacon?"

"That big banana brute?" KARR mimicked his counterpart, KI2T. "Let me review my memory banks." He paused for a few minutes. "I seem to remember Garthe was doing something weird with the onboard computer system. Hmmm…."

"What?"

"I think I know a way to track him."

"Dad?" Mike asked, knocking on his father's door. No answer. "Come on dad, I know you're in there." The lock clicked and he heard the chain being undone. The door cracked open. He pushed it slowly inward. His father was walking back into the room, he followed closing the door behind him.

"What do you want Mike. I'm not really in the mood right now."

"I don't care what you're in the mood for," Mike replied. His father turned around to face him. The look of surprise on his father's face spurred him on. "You were really harsh with Wil. He made a mistake, by withholding information. Yes, that has put people we love in danger. But, dad, you have to remember, Garthe Knight has hated you for the last thirty plus years. You can't take all your frustration and anger out on Wil. That's not fair to him. Or to Bonnie."

Michael blew out a long, frustrated breath. "You're right. I'm really worried and stressed out about Bonnie." He paused, turning away from his son, he continued, "It's just that I've lost too much already. I've said goodbye to too many people. I didn't have a choice when I had to say that to your mother. She understood though. I lost so much time with you both. I always wondered what my life could have been like."

"I've always wondered too. But, look at all the great people you have met. And you wouldn't have ever met Bonnie. And look at all the experiences you've had. Your still here, still going strong." Mike paused. "And I've gotten used to our little family. It's the first time in awhile that I actually feel like I fit in."

Michael turned back to his son, emotion etched on his face. "You do belong here. And how did you get to be so wise?"

"Experience." Michael smiled.

"Well, let's go back out to the semi and form a game plan," he told his son.

"I'd like to, but Wil did exactly what you told him to do. He left. And took KARR with him." Michael sighed. "And he told me we're on our own and not to follow him."

"Well, let's go find him."

"By using the satellites, I was able to triangulate his position."

"How did you do that?" Wil asked.

"When he was putting the finishing touches on Goliath, he coated the area that houses the CPU and other components with the MBS formula," KARR responded.

"And you're just telling me this now?"

"Its not like I sit around all day thinking about Garthe and Goliath," KARR replied sarcastically.

"Okay, okay. Where are they?" Wil gave in.

"They are located in a house on… how humorous."

"What is KARR?"

"The house is located on Vigilante Road in a town called Duxbury."

"Huh. That is pretty funny. But I'm not in a very humorous mood right now. Garthe has taken so much from me. And now he has people I care about very much. People that I call family. And I have to make this right. We're on our own from here on out. Turn off all communications and deactivate your homing beacon."

"Do you think that wise?"

"Just do it. And let's get going."